Curtain-stretcher



(No Model.)

W,l A. MAYR.

GURTAINSTRBTGHBR.

Patented Aug. 31, 1897.

IINTTED STATES PATENT @Finca VALTER A. MAYR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CURTAIN-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,263, dated August 31, 189'?. Application ined Aprile', 1897. serai no.' 630,755. montan.)

To all whom it 'n'mgl/ eolica/'m Be it known that I, VALTER A. MAYR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Curtain- Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide mechanism for making a fiat and square corner between the bars of a curtain-stretcher extending at right angles to each other; and the invention consists in the features and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a broken plan view of my improved curtainstretcher; Fig. 2, an enlarged sectional View taken on line 2 of Fig. l; Figs. 3 and 5, broken plan views showing modifications with references to the clamping devices at the ends of the bars, and Fig. 4 a transverse sectional view taken on line 4l of Fig. 3.

As curtain-stretchers are now constructed there is no way of making a flat corner between the bars and no way of making a square corner without exact measurements by a tapeline or otherwise. The. general practice is to place one bar on top of the other and then fasten the two together bybolts or carpenters clamps. This construction is objectionable, however, for the reasons that it does not provide for a dat corner, by which I mean one in which the parts are in the same plane with each other, and that it is impossible to make a square77 corner, by which I mean one in which the parts are at right angles to each other, without resort to exact measurements. My invention is especially designed to obviate these objections.

In constructing my improved curtainstretcher I form the framework of the bars A of the usual construction and having pins a, adapted to slide therein or otherwise, as desired. At one end of each of these bars I provide clamping-plates B, which are securely fastened to the bar, one at each side, and adapted to be clamped or loosened by means of an eyebolt C, having a thumb-screw c on one end thereof. The bars being of the same thickness and the clamping-plates secured on the outside of one of them the other bar. may be slipped in between the plates, so as to have one of its edges in close contact with the end of the adjacent bar and the other of its edges in close contact with the eyebolt or clampingpin. For convenience in construction, and in order that the bar slipped in may be in close contact with the parts used to hold it in place at its four sides, I prefer to'make all the bars of exactly the same width,which also makes them interchangeable; but this is not actually necessary.

The turning of the thumb-screw in the eyebolt operates to compress the plates, so as to rigidly fasten the bar between them and securely hold it "in place, and loosening the screw permits the bar to be readily taken out as desired. v'The bars being thus slipped in and secured' in placca flat and square corner is formed without the use of any tape-line or other measuring devices, and this corner enables the forming of a square frame on which to stretch the curtain evenly, the pins catching it at the corners as well as at the other points. -IVhile I prefer to use an eyebolt with a thumb-screw, as shown, still other forms of screw mechanism may be used for compressing or loosening the clamping-plates, as desired.

In some cases the extension of the clamping-plates beyond the end of the bars may be found objectionable in shipping, or it may be desired to prevent this extension for other reasons. In such cases the clamping-plates may be secured as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. In the first of these figures they are shown as having longitudinal slots b, adapted to receive the bolts used to secure them to the bar. Screw mechanism on these bolts enables them to be moved back when the extension is to be avoided for shipping or other purposes and forward when the extension is required for use. As shown in this figure, two securing-bolts are used, and, as above suggested, they are adapted to be tightened or loosened, as desired, for the different movements of the clamping-plates. v

In Fig. 5 the clamping-plates are shown as secured by a bolt at their inner ends and adapted to turn or swing back when the extension is to be avoided for shipping or other purposes. IVhen it is desired to turn or swing them back, this securing-bolt is loosened, and when they are turned or swung back it is tightened to hold them in place. IVhen itis desired to put the bars together IOO to form the framework, the securing-bolt above referred to is loosened and the clamping-plates turned or swung back, so as to extend beyond the end of the bar or be in position for use. Then brought into this position, a second securing-bolt fits into a notch b in each of the clamping-plates, and the plates are rigidly fastened to the bar by screw mechanism on the secuiingbolts, after which the bar may be inserted, clamped, and held in place, as above described.

Although I have described my invention as a curtain-stretcher especially adapted for the stretching of lace curtains, it will of course be understood that I contemplate using it in any position or for any work to which it maybe applicable-21s, for instance, in making quilts, comfortables, and the like, or in stretching any kind of cloth or fabric.

I claim-q l. In combination with the bar of a curtainstretcher, two clamping-plates at one end s e curely fastened to the bar, one on its upper and one on its lower surface and extending longitudinally thereto, and a bolt passing through the clamping-plates at a point sufficiently distant from the end of the barto permit the insertion of a cross-bar, the bolt being provided with screw mechanism for tightening or loosening the clamping-plates, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the bar of a curtainstretcher, clampi 11g-plates at one end securely fastened to the bar and extending longitudinally thereto, and a bolt passing through the clamping-plates at a point sufficiently distant from the end of the bar to permit the insertion of a cross-bar, the clamping-plates being adjustable longitudinally on the bar and the bolt being provided with screw mechanism for tightening or loosening the clampingplates, substantiallyas described,

3. In a curtain-stretcher, the combination of bars forming framework, each of the bars being provided with two clamping-plates at one end, one on its upper and one on its lower surface, and extending longitudinally thereto for receiving and holding the bars extending at right angles thereto, and screw mechanism for compressing the outer ends of the clamping-plates to rigidly and rmly secure the bars in place, substantially as described.

VALTER A. MAYR.

Witnesses:

EPHRAIM BANNING, THOMAS A. BANNING. 

